Choice of the Blues?

[550Anniv]

Hi Guys.
I am looking at the purchase of a used 420d Gran Coupe. I have the choice of two, both the same age, mileage and similar spec. One is Estoril Blue and the other Carbon Black.
I am really struggling to decide which to go for, so I thought I would ask the wise people on the BMW forum for their thoughts.
Thank you.

[Alextodrive]

If its the same carbon black I had on my 2012 X5 with a dark blueish tint in the sunlight, then it's absolutely stunning when it's polished up and needs to be seen in real life. Cant judge it from photos.

And I've always found the blue quite boring myself... so those are just my two cents.

The 4 series Gran Coupe is lovely. I had one for 6 months and had a blast. Enjoy!

[d_a_n1979]

Carbon black is stunning IMO but a sod to keep clean! Soon as it's washed and dried/polished it's filthy as soon as you're out and about in it again

Estoril blue is lovely though; works really well with bright silver alloys

[Alextodrive]

d_a_n1979 said:

Carbon black is stunning IMO but a sod to keep clean! Soon as it's washed and dried/polished it's filthy as soon as you're out and about in it again

Estoril blue is lovely though; works really well with bright silver alloys

Wasnt my experience to be honest. If anything it looked clean longer than any white or blue car I've ever owned. But hey, if thats what you found, fair enough. Just throwing in some balance.

[550Anniv]

...Interesting. Never thought about Carbon Black looking dirty quicker, although I do appreciate care in washing as it will quickly gain swirl marks if I don't.
Both of these cars have black interior, I was thinking of looking for one with Oyster leather as a contrast, however, stories of dye transfer from clothing has put me off.

[Smuler]

I find my silver 340i shows the dirt a lot more than my Carbon black M3 , so much so neighbours though I had given up washing it
I’ve never liked Estoril blue on the F generation.
So Carbon black would get my vote.

Does it have panoramic sunroof , that will lighten interior if you don’t want a light leather.

[The Livster]

Had light interiors on last 3 BMW’s over 7 years, no issue with dye transfer. Current car just over 2.5 yrs old with ivory leather, still immaculate.

[Simes205]

Had black sapphire for years.
Now Estoril blue, it’s certainly bright.
It also masks the lack of washing more than black!

[Touring442]

Estoril blue was a boring colour 25 years ago. Of all the colours to bring back - Avus blue, Daytona violet, Japan red....

[doc261]

I had a 640d in carbon black, looked very nice and I didn’t think it looked too dirty but it seemed to be very easy to get swirls and mineral deposits form the very hard water in my area.

[HARTLEYHARE1]

I think this car just looks good in black

Yes it gets dirty but just adds to the coolness

[mmm-five]

I quite like the blues (Avus, Montego, Monaco, Estoril, etc.) - dirty or not - but I'm probably biased, so would say Estoril...even if it is 'common'.

Wouldn't have Ruby/Carbon Black again though, as it looks the correct colour about 1% of the time (usually under fluorescents) and was too much work on a daily driver.

The colour pop of Avus Blue only came out in the sunshine, at other times it looked a bit muddy (same day/track, just different angles/light levels).





Ruby Black 'in the moment':




Rest of the time:

[550Anniv]

The Livster said:

Had light interiors on last 3 BMW’s over 7 years, no issue with dye transfer. Current car just over 2.5 yrs old with ivory leather, still immaculate.

....well, that’s changed things a bit. After all your comments (thanks folks) I am going Carbon Black, but will now find one with a light interior for contrast.
Thanks for all your help and positive comments.....if any one needs me, I will be in the classifieds now! Lol

[bmwmike]

Good choice, love CB even when dirty.

[CustardOnChips]

I've had cars in both colours and both are great.

CB in the summer when swirl free and clean is fantastic, but then so is EB. EB hides grime better in my opinion and is the colour I would go for.

[Prof Plum]

The Livster said:

Had light interiors on last 3 BMW’s over 7 years, no issue with dye transfer. Current car just over 2.5 yrs old with ivory leather, still immaculate.

I'd second this, I've had no problem with dye transfer with an oyster interior. It can get a bit grubby but cleans up without any special effort. Easily worth it to be in a brighter place, nothing more boring than black inside and out in my opinion.

[Prof Plum]

I am biased but Estoril Blue and Oyster was my choice:

[doc261]

As well as my previous 640 in carbon black my current 235 is estoril blue 2 and I think I preferred the carbon black but much harder to look after

[Mr Tidy]

I'd go for Estoril Blue.

As much as I like Carbon Black I imagine it would be as much of a pain to keep it looking smart as my Ruby Black Z4 was. And most of the year it just looked black anyway!

[Swampy1982]

Tanzanite Blue? My personal favourite bmw blue...

Edited by Swampy1982 on Sunday 2nd February 20:45